As Peak of Hajj Season Approaches, Saudi Arabia’s Water Sector Announces Full Operational Readiness for Hajj 1446H

With the countdown to Hajj 1446H underway, the Saudi water sector (SWA) has finalized its operational plans and preparations to serve pilgrims during the upcoming season. This comprehensive readiness effort aims to ensure reliable and efficient water supply, reflecting seamless coordination and technical integration across all sectors under the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

The announcement comes as part of continued oversight by His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen AlFadley, following his recent inspection tour of key facilities and projects in the Holy Sites. It also reflects proactive planning, including the early execution of 18 major infrastructure projects in Makkah and the Holy Sites, expanding water networks, strategic storage, pumping stations, distribution lines, and treatment plants, as well as supplemental supply plans across production, transmission, storage, distribution, and irrigation sectors.

The SWA has verified the technical and operational readiness of the sector and its alignment with the integrated operational plan, spanning from water production and transmission to storage, distribution, and treatment. Strategic and operational storage capacities have been secured to reinforce water services in Makkah, the Holy Sites, and the Grand Mosque.

Daily water supply during peak days is expected to exceed 750,000 m³, reaching up to 1 million m³ on Arafah Day and during Eid, meeting the high demand typical of these blessed days.

The sector’s desalinated water transmission capacity surpasses 1.2 million m³ per day, underscoring the readiness of production and transmission systems to meet peak demand in Makkah and the Holy Sites. Water transmission pipelines span 1,316 kilometers across the Kingdom, and pumping stations are operating at 125% efficiency. Daily water distribution exceeds 750,000 m³.

From an environmental sustainability perspective, treatment plants have a combined capacity of around 750,000 m³ per day, enhancing resource management in line with top global health and safety standards. More than 4,000 lab tests will be conducted daily using advanced technologies to ensure water quality and safety.

The Saudi Water Authority has intensified its technical and inspection tours of water facilities in Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafah to verify infrastructure readiness and improve service quality for pilgrims. These inspections have exceeded 2,000 field hours, covering over 32,000 toilets across the Holy Sites.

This state of operational readiness—encompassing National Water Company, Water Transmission and Technologies Company, Saudi Water Partnership Company, the SWA’s interim operational arm Saline Water Conversion Corporation, and the Saudi Irrigation Organization—is supported by more than 2,000 Saudi engineers and technicians. It reflects Vision 2030 objectives and upholds the highest standards of quality and reliability to meet the needs of growing pilgrim numbers and support their Hajj experience in a safe and stable environment.